If you have been sexually assaulted please contact your nearest Centre Against Sexual Assault. In Victoria, phone 1800 806 292. In the rest of Australia phone 1800 RESPECT

Phones etc

When using your mobile phone, the internet, webcams or chatting online with your friends, there are some things to keep in mind so you can stay safe.

Pictures are forever

If you use your mobile phone to send pictures of your boobs or nude pictures of yourself, you may be breaking the law. It may seem like harmless fun, but remember that once you send pictures electronically you do not know where they go. A good rule is: if it's not something you'd want your parents to see, do not send it electronically.

Webcam

If someone asks you to take off your clothes on a webcam, don’t do it! You don’t know who could be watching, even if the person swears they are alone. You also don’t know if the pictures are being recorded and then where they will end up.

If someone is trying to push you into taking these kinds of pictures, they are not treating you with respect. Tell them “NO”.

The law

This is what the law says;

If someone takes nude pictures of a person under 18 they could be charged with producing child pornography

If they have the pictures on their phone they could be charged with possessing child pornography

If they print them, post them on the Internet or forward them to someone, they could be charged with publishing or transmitting child pornography

If someone shows the pictures at school and they are over 16, this is sexual harassment under the Sex Discrimination Act. If you take photos or video of a person under 18 involved in sexual activity or posing in an indecent sexual manner (or who looks like they are) you could be charged with producing child pornography. You could be charged even if you are the same age of younger than the person in the picture or video.

Some of these laws are Victorian (State) law and some are Federal (Australia wide). Either way these are very serious offences so keep yourself safe and don't get bullied into doing something you don't want to do.